Cambridge Athletic Club Introduce
For over three decades, Cambridge Athletic Club has stood as a cornerstone of the health and wellness community in Cambridge and the greater Boston area. This flagship gym, located at 215 First Street, is more than just a place to work out; it is a full-service fitness destination that prides itself on providing a welcoming, clean, and comprehensive environment for its members. Unlike many other gyms that focus solely on equipment, Cambridge Athletic Club places a strong emphasis on community and customer service. As one member enthusiastically noted, the gym is "worth going to just for how you’re treated alone," a testament to the friendly and accommodating nature of its entire staff, from the front desk to the operations director.
This commitment to a positive atmosphere is a defining characteristic of Cambridge Athletic Club. The gym proudly identifies as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safespace, ensuring that every individual feels respected and safe while pursuing their fitness goals. This focus on inclusivity creates a supportive environment where members can concentrate on their well-being without any judgment. The welcoming culture, combined with the vast array of services, makes Cambridge Athletic Club a standout choice for anyone in Massachusetts seeking a gym that truly cares about its members. From the moment you walk in, the staff, including operations director Jonathan, is dedicated to making your experience seamless and enjoyable. The excellent customer service is a recurring theme in reviews, with members praising the team's willingness to go above and beyond, even making it "extremely easy to pause" a membership for personal reasons.
Cambridge Athletic Club is a complete wellness hub, recognized not only for its exceptional staff but also for its extensive facilities. With multiple floors of fitness spaces, the gym caters to a wide range of athletic pursuits. It is equipped with a full-sized basketball court and two squash courts, rare amenities that provide unique options for both recreation and competitive play. The weight and cardio areas are consistently maintained, with machines and free weights in "great condition," as confirmed by reviews. For those who love to work out during the holidays, the gym's commitment to staying open, even for shorter hours, is a "very big plus for gym addicts." This blend of top-tier facilities, dedicated staff, and a truly inclusive atmosphere solidifies Cambridge Athletic Club's position as a leader in the local fitness scene.
Conveniently located at 215 First St in Cambridge, MA 02142, Cambridge Athletic Club’s flagship location is perfectly situated to serve the vibrant communities of Kendall Square and beyond. Its prime spot in the heart of a major corporate and residential hub makes it easily accessible for professionals and residents alike. A significant benefit for members is the available garage parking, which is a rare and highly sought-after perk in this urban environment. Even when the garage is not available, street parking is often free, adding to the convenience. For those who take public transportation, the gym is just a short walk from the Kendall/MIT T stop.
The facility is fully committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible parking lot, and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a welcoming environment for all. Inside, members will find essential amenities including restrooms, showers, and Wi-Fi, which make every visit comfortable and efficient. The gym accepts credit cards and debit cards for payments, providing a seamless and straightforward transaction process. All services are provided onsite, ensuring you have access to everything you need under one roof.
Cambridge Athletic Club offers a comprehensive suite of services that cater to every aspect of your fitness journey, from personal training to a variety of group classes.
- Personal Training: The gym's expert trainers are equipped to work with individuals of all levels. Services include a Personal Fitness Evaluation and an InBody Scan to set clear, measurable goals. Trainers specialize in everything from helping beginners get started to fine-tuning programs for elite athletes and assisting with injury rehabilitation.
- Group Fitness Classes: Cambridge Athletic Club is well-known for its wide variety of group exercise classes. The schedule features everything from high-intensity workouts like Les Mills' BODYPUMP and SPRINT to martial arts-inspired BODYCOMBAT. For those who prefer a mind-body connection, they offer classes like yoga and Pilates. Other classes include Zumba, Barre, and indoor cycling, ensuring a class for every preference.
- Specialized Programs: The gym’s offerings extend to niche interests with specialized programs like the Running Lab and Youth Basketball. The Youth Basketball program is designed to develop basic skills like dribbling, shooting, and passing in a fun, inclusive environment, while also fostering teamwork and communication.
- Nutrition and Wellness: Members have access to complimentary Nutrition Consulting with a Registered Dietitian. This service provides a holistic approach to wellness, ensuring that clients have the guidance they need to make healthy dietary choices that support their fitness goals.
- Court and Weightlifting Facilities: The club features a full-sized basketball court for pickup games and practice, as well as two squash courts with member-only booking privileges. The main fitness floor is equipped with a vast array of cardio machines, free weights, weight machines, squat racks, and two dedicated lifting platforms for serious strength training.
Cambridge Athletic Club stands out in the crowded Boston fitness market due to a number of exceptional features and highlights.
- Unmatched Customer Service: As noted by multiple reviews, the staff is a major highlight. They are described as "super friendly and accommodating," making the gym a welcoming place. The ease of pausing a membership is another example of their commitment to excellent customer relations.
- Comprehensive Facilities: The gym’s impressive amenities, including a basketball court, two squash courts, and a sauna, are a huge draw. These unique offerings provide members with a diverse range of activities beyond traditional weightlifting and cardio. The garage parking is a "really nice perk" that adds significant value in an urban setting.
- Inclusive and Safe Atmosphere: The gym's explicit stance as an LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safespace is a crucial feature that makes it an attractive choice for a wide range of people seeking a supportive and secure environment.
- Holiday Hours: The gym’s decision to remain open during holidays, even on a reduced schedule, is a testament to its understanding of its members' dedication. This flexibility is a big plus for those who prioritize their fitness routine year-round.
For anyone in Massachusetts looking for a new gym, Cambridge Athletic Club is an excellent choice that offers a perfect blend of premium facilities and a caring, community-focused environment. It’s ideal for those who are serious about their fitness but also value a clean, friendly, and non-intimidating atmosphere. The vast array of services, from personalized training and nutrition consulting to a full schedule of group classes and court sports, means you can find everything you need under one roof. The gym's commitment to inclusivity, with a supportive and safe environment for all, makes it a rare and valuable find.
The glowing testimonials from members who have switched from other gyms and those who find the staff "super lovely" are powerful endorsements. The fact that the gym is exceptionally clean and that the machines are in great condition confirms that the club invests in its facilities and takes pride in its appearance. Its willingness to accommodate members' personal needs, as seen in the easy membership pause, speaks to a level of customer care that is simply unmatched. With its convenient location, exceptional staff, and a wide range of amenities and programs, Cambridge Athletic Club is more than just a gym—it's a fitness leader and a supportive community that is absolutely worth choosing.
Address: 215 First St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
Phone: (617) 491-8989
Cambridge Athletic Club Services
Gym
- Aerobics
- Nutrition consulting
- Personal training
- Private lessons
- Running Lab
- Strength Training
- Weight Lifting
- Youth Basketball
Cambridge Athletic Club Details
Service options
- Onsite services
- Online classes
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Offerings
- Sauna
Amenities
- Basketball court
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Shower
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Cambridge Athletic Club Photos
Cambridge Athletic Club Location
Cambridge Athletic Club
215 First St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
Cambridge Athletic Club Reviews
machinesequipmentcleantowelsaunasquashlocker roomsworking outweightliftingsquat rack
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Great gym, clean facilities, and super friendly and accommodating employees. From the front desk to Jonathan (ops director), this gym is worth going to just for how you’re treated alone.Weights and machines are in great condition and the garage parking is a really nice perk. When the garage isn’t available (certain hours) the street parking usually is free.Had to cancel temporarily for personal reasons but the team made it extremely easy to pause. I will 100% sign back up with them again.
July 28 · Alexander CheungVery clean and nice gym. Staff is super lovely and everything about this gym is great. I made the right choice to switch my old gym by CAC.One other very good aspect is they are open during holidays, albeit shorter hours. A very big plus for gym addicts like myself.
June 03 · Yassine ChihiMy housemates and I loved this gym! It was always well cleaned and machines were up to date. The classes offered are fun as well, shout out to Julie from Body Balance. It is a little cramped, but they do their best to space out machines/classrooms, exercise space. Women’s gym was well maintained and full of machines/equipment. The only reason we cancelled is because we’re all moving out of Cambridge, and the cancellation process was straightforward. Hoping to find a gym as good as CAC next!
June 12 · AngelicaGym has everything I use: Locker rooms with plenty of space/storage, well kept machines, and plenty of space during the off peak hours I use the facilities. I tried a few classes and thought they were fun, but not for me. I would highly recommend this gym for people who love fitness classes or for people who live in the area and just need a no frills fitness space.
May 24 · Charles LiangPeace family! This gym has some great amenities but the water has chemicals in it and I don’t recommend anyone who cares about their health to use the showers after workout. My skin turns white every single time. My shoes turn blue every single time. You can see the chemicals on your skin and on your shoes after you shower. I’m going to have the water tested and I will return the results when I get them. I will send the water to 3 different water testing facilities and will report them to both the CAC General Manager (Carla Bettencourt) and I will post here! To be quite honest, they should shut down the whole shower facility for a day, two, or however it long it takes to test and treat the water. I’ve never had such an experience this bad with water being this full of toxic chemicals that penetrate your skin immediately. The skin is the largest organ on the human body and we have to learn to protect ourselves better. Ever Fitness gym on 14 McGrath Highway has water that’s just as bad. Mind you, I am highly melanated and the chemicals pop up on my skin much clearer than others who are pale skinned, so you see the results of the chemicals immediately. I’m hoping that other people will take heed to this message and if you don’t believe me, go test the water yourself. I’m hoping that Carla, the district manager, or regional manager sees this and takes this seriously. They may be violating health codes with this one! Hope everyone has a great day’ I’ll see you soon! (CAC 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA) they also have a minor roach problem lol
April 28 · Hebrew Israelite
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